The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has released its 10 predictions for Wi-Fi in 2026 and beyond, outlining how Wi-Fi is set to enter a new phase of large-scale growth and deeper integration with cellular networks. Detailed in the WBA Industry Report 2026, the forecasts highlight rapid scaling of Wi-Fi 7, early groundwork for Wi-Fi 8 and mmWave, and the expanding role of Wi-Fi as a carrier-grade connectivity layer supporting 5G today and 6G in the future.
According to the WBA, advances across 6 GHz, Wi-Fi HaLow, mesh networking, fiber, satellite and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services are extending reliable, high-quality connectivity from homes and enterprises to factories, smart cities and airplanes.
Tiago Rodrigues, President and CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said Wi-Fi is becoming the digital backbone of modern business, enabling new services, improving user experience and reducing costs as it converges with 5G and future 6G networks.
1. Wi-Fi 7 adoption accelerates sharply
Wi-Fi 7 adoption gained strong momentum in 2025 as enterprises and consumers embraced 6 GHz spectrum and advanced capabilities such as higher throughput and lower latency. Shipments of Wi-Fi 7 access points rose from 26.3 million units in 2024 to a projected 66.5 million in 2025. This growth is expected to accelerate further in 2026, with annual shipments forecast to reach 117.9 million units, signaling a rapid transition to the new standard.
2. Standard Power 6 GHz deployments gain traction
After early regulatory and certification challenges, Standard Power 6 GHz is expected to see broader adoption in 2026. Improved regulatory clarity and a wider range of compatible equipment are set to drive deployments, particularly across large public venues, education campuses and industrial manufacturing. Additional regulators are also expected to authorize Standard Power 6 GHz during the year.
3. Early Wi-Fi 8 prototypes emerge
Although the Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) standard will take several years to finalize, the first Wi-Fi 8 chipsets appeared in late 2025. In 2026, the industry is expected to unveil more chipset announcements and early prototype access points, with some prototypes likely to be showcased at events such as MWC 2026.
4. Wi-Fi offload grows with OpenRoaming
Rising mobile data traffic and the need for better user experience are pushing mobile operators to invest more heavily in Wi-Fi offload. At the same time, smart cities are adopting Wi-Fi offloading to provide seamless connectivity for residents and visitors while enabling applications such as smart traffic management and disaster prevention. Further enhancements to OpenRoaming in 2026 are expected to accelerate this trend.
5. Wi-Fi HaLow momentum continues
Following trials and early commercialization in 2025, Wi-Fi HaLow is set to gain further momentum in 2026. The market is expected to see more chipset and infrastructure announcements, alongside real-world deployments that highlight HaLow’s value for long-range, low-power use cases across industrial, agricultural and smart city environments.
6. Clearer convergence path between Wi-Fi and 6G
As the cellular ecosystem begins early preparations for 6G, greater clarity is expected in 2026 on how Wi-Fi and 6G will work together. The WBA envisions 6G being built around close collaboration with Wi-Fi to deliver cost-effective, efficient and flexible connectivity by leveraging the strengths of both technologies.
7. Major advances in in-flight Wi-Fi
In-flight Wi-Fi quality of experience is expected to improve significantly with the adoption of LEO satellite constellations. These systems enable higher speeds, lower latency and more consistent coverage. In 2026, multiple airlines, including British Airways and United, are expected to deploy LEO-based in-flight Wi-Fi, with several carriers offering free connectivity to all passengers regardless of travel class.
8. Broadband access expansion boosts global connectivity
Global fiber broadband subscriptions are projected to reach 808.7 million by 2026-end, up from 776.3 million in 2025. Satellite broadband will also expand rapidly, helping connect underserved regions. Worldwide satellite broadband subscriptions are forecast to grow from 6.76 million in 2024 to 12.67 million by the end of 2026.
9. Wi-Fi mesh adoption keeps rising
Wi-Fi mesh systems are increasingly used to eliminate coverage gaps and support additional digital services in homes. While early demand was driven by retail sales, Internet service providers are now scaling mesh deployments to improve quality of service and increase average revenue per user. Annual shipments of Wi-Fi mesh equipment are projected to grow from 41.7 million units in 2024 to 63.6 million units in 2026.
10. Progress on integrated mmWave Wi-Fi
The 802.11bq working group is exploring how Wi-Fi can best leverage the 60 GHz spectrum band for ultra-high-speed, low-latency data transfer. Although the standard is not expected to be completed until 2029, 2026 should provide clearer direction on how the industry plans to use mmWave Wi-Fi for next-generation applications.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
